Abstract:

TCC Connect Campus is the online campus of Tarrant County College District, established in 2014; and for more than 40 years has delivered distance education. Currently serving 23,000 students —26% = 6,000 of TCC Connect Campus students enroll in 9 credits or more. Through 24 programs of study delivered via eLearning and an Accelerated Weekend College, the campus affords students to select the pathway that permits them to complete an associate degree in less than two years. The campus designed from the perspective of open access to support non-traditional students follows an innovative model which capitalizes on technological advances to increase student success. A full set of Student Services is provided from online advising to online tutoring to honors clubs and intercultural groups. Five years since its inception, TCC Connect Campus has created the ideal conditions for non-traditional students to enroll and complete college through a medium that is flexible, inclusive and always on. The presenter will report on the strategies implemented to foster faculty and student engagement, in addition to best practices for student and faculty success will be presented. The presenter will also discuss data about growth.

Keywords:

Online learning, virtual universities, growth, open access.